Brita Soho Classic Water Filter Pitcher 36089
Minimal PFAS risk, though Brita hasn't disclosed public PFAS test results.
This Brita Soho pitcher combines BPA-free plastic with activated carbon and ion-exchange resin filters without nonstick or water-resistant coatings. Brita has not published PFAS testing or made PFAS-free claims.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plastic pitcher (BPA-free polypropylene/copolyester); activated carbon + ion-exchange resin filter
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Brita Soho Classic Water Filter Pitcher is made of, ingredients and materials
The Brita Soho Classic uses polypropylene (PP) and copolyester plastics for the pitcher housing and lid, both BPA-free. The filter cartridge contains granular activated carbon and an ion-exchange resin bed designed to reduce chlorine taste, odor, and some dissolved minerals. These are inert, food-grade plastic materials; PP does not leach under normal cold-water conditions and is stable across typical household temperatures.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Bacterial growth in filter if unmaintained
Activated carbon filters create a moist, nutrient-rich environment. If cartridges are not replaced on schedule (every 2 months) or water sits stale in the pitcher for days, bacterial or mold colonies can form inside the filter bed. This is not a material defect but a biological risk tied to user behavior.
Activated carbon dust or particle shedding
New or poorly seated filter cartridges can release fine black carbon particles into the first few fills, visible as specks or cloudiness. This is cosmetic rather than toxic, but a minor nuisance. Running the first pitcher through the sink or discarding it mitigates this completely.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Plastic leaching under thermal stress
Polypropylene is stable in cold water and does not leach BPA or phthalates under normal use. No documented cases of leaching from Brita pitchers at room or refrigerator temperatures. However, exposure to hot water or prolonged sunlight can degrade the polymer; the product is designed for cold water only.
Filter housing or seal material contaminants
The filter cartridge housing and seals are made of food-contact-safe plastics and resins. No public records indicate leaching of additives, colorants, or manufacturing residues from Brita filter cartridges into drinking water. Brita's filters are produced under NSF oversight for food-contact compliance.
Ion-exchange resin durability and cross-contamination
The ion-exchange resin in the filter is designed to exchange calcium and magnesium ions for sodium or potassium. No documented cases of resin beads fragmenting or contaminating water in Brita pitchers. Resin exhaustion (when it no longer softens water) is a performance issue, not a safety issue, and is signaled by filter replacement timing.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Brita markets its pitchers as BPA-free and has been transparent on that point for years. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or removal claims for its filters. No major safety recalls or chemical contamination incidents have been documented for this specific model in public databases. Brita's filter technology is NSF-certified for chlorine and chlorine-by-products reduction but does not claim PFAS removal.
How it compares in its category
The Soho Classic is a budget-tier pitcher filter in a crowded market. It performs comparably to other activated-carbon-only pitchers (e.g., PUR, Zero Water entry models) on chlorine reduction. Unlike reverse-osmosis systems or under-sink filters, it does not target heavy metals or PFAS at scale, but it also carries none of the plumbing complexity or maintenance burden of those systems. For basic taste/odor improvement, it is a standard option with lower concern for the materials used.
If you buy it
Replace the filter cartridge every 2 months or after 40 gallons to prevent stagnant water and bacterial biofilm growth inside the filter bed; this is the main maintenance risk. Do not heat the pitcher or expose it to prolonged direct sunlight, as this can degrade the plastic over time. Store filled pitchers in the refrigerator to minimize microbial growth. If water sits longer than 48 hours, discard and refill to maintain freshness.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Brita has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Brita Soho Classic Water Filter Pitcher 36089?
- glass bottles, sodium dichloroisocyanurate treatment chemical
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Chemical overdose or misuse
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Stainless steel housing and spigot
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth and biofilm if filters not replaced
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Borosilicate glass pitcher, replaceable activated-carbon filter cartridge
- Bacterial growth in filter cartridge if unmaintained
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More water filters grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.